Dual message traffic sign



June 27, 1967 G. o. KlMMELL DUAL MESSAGE TRAFFIC SIGN Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19, 1965 R/ mm K 0 M {M1 QM,

June 27, 1967 G. o. KIMMELL 381102 TRAFFIC SIGN 2 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Filed May 19, 1965 Fiq. 5

INVENTOR. 66mm 0. ffi'mmel/ United States Patent 3,327,418 DUAL MESSAGE TRAFFIC SIGN Garrnan 0. Kirnmell, 52 NW. 42nd St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73i18 Filed May 19, 1965, Ser. No. 456,924 4 Claims. (Oi. 40-52) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLGSURE An electric traffic sign having panels which rotate on its surface so that when they are in one position a certain message is presented, and when in the other position a different and more important message is presented. An electric motor and an electric brake turns and holds the panels to the less important position. Springs are provided to return the panels to the important position, so that if the electric current fails, the panels will remain or return to the important position.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in trafiic signs and, particularly, to a traffic sign which is capable of displaying either one of two messages on demand.

Methods of changing the messages on advertising signs have been known for some time, but these methods have not been applied to traffic signs for the reasons of expense, reliability, hazards to curious children, and susceptibility to vandalism.

One of the two messages, if displayed on a single unit, would be the important message and the other the less important message; as for example, in a school zone sign, the important message would be the one indicating School or School Zone and a lowered speed limit, and the less important message would be an elevated speed limit.

The present invention is directed to a traffic sign capable of displaying two different messages on demand and so arranged that any reasonable failure would result in the display of the important message.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a traffic sign which requires only the establishment or interruption of the electric power connection for control, and cannot get out of phase with the message program.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive traflic sign which, in the function of changing messages, cannot be harmed by restraint of the rotating panels by tampering, vandalism or freezing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a traffic sign which, in the function of changing the message, cannot apply StlfilClEIlt force to the rotating panels to create a hazard for children or persons engaging their fingers or extremities in the rotating panels and which can, at the same time, complete the desired display upon removal of the restraining object.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a traffic sign which, in either display position, presents a relatively flat surface to the reader of the message.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a traffic sign which is particularly free from vandalism of every sort such as restraining or forcing the rotating panels, striking it with only relatively heavy objects, or even transpiercing it with a bullet which misses vital structure.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form of the invention.

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FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the sign atop its mounting post partially cut away to show internal structure.

FIG. 2 is a detailed top view of the drive mechanism as shown under the cutaway portion of the top cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the spring-loaded neutral drive mechanism used between the drive sprockets and shafts of the roating panels shown assembled in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram showing a simple connection for the operation of the drive motor.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 of the rotating panels, one panel shown in course of changing messages, and the other panel shown in display position, illustrating the relation of the shafts to the panels and to the supporting structure of the box.

Referring to the drawings, and, particularly, to FIG. 1, 1 is a box which serves as a structural foundation for the sign and which contains a drive motor 2, a conventional timer 3 used where the sign is not slave to another controller, and a conventional blinker switch 4 used where blinking lights 5 are desired in conjunction with the display of the important message. Not shown, the box also houses any necessary fuses, terminal strips, heater to prevent freezing, and thermostat. The drive mechanism is protected from the weather by a cover 6 which overlaps the sides, back, and a turned down extended portion 7 of the top plate 8 of the box 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, shafts 9 and 10 of the rotating panels 11 and 12 are carried in bushings in the top plate 8 and in extended portions of the bottom of box 1 as shown at 13 in FIG. 1. In spaced rotational relation to sprocket 14 is a switch actuating element 15 which engages and operates a single-pole double-throw switch 16 after a rotation of plus of sprocket 14. Shaft 17 of drive motor 2 extends through top plate 8 and carries a sprocket 18. Sprockets 14, 18 and 19 are held in timed rotational relationship by chain 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spring-loaded neutral drive assembly consists of a rotating panel return spring 21, sprocket 14, forward drive release spring 22, floating stop 23, reverse drive release spring 24 and shaft drive dog 25. A pin 26 mounted in top plate 8 engages a loop 27 in the end of rotating panel return spring 21. An internal radially turned portion 28 of spring 21 engages slot 29 in the hub 30 of sprocket 14. A pin 31 on the face of sprocket 14 engages a loop 32 formed in the end of the forward drive release spring 22. Pin 31 extends across spring 22 and engages the right-hand edge of floating stop 23. An internal radially turned portion 33 of spring 22 engages a slot 34 in hub 35 of floating stop 23. Pin 36 in floating stop 23 engages a loop 37 formed in the end of spring 24. An internal radially turned portion 38 of spring 24 engages slot 39 in the hub 40 of shaft drive dog 25. A pin 4-1 rigidly connects shaft drive dog 25 to shaft 10. A pin 42 in shaft drive dog 25 reaches across reverse drive release spring 24 to engage the right-hand edge of floating stop 23 at a point just outside of the engagement of pin 31 with the right-hand edge of floating stop 23.

The preferred construction of rotating panels 11 and 12 is shown in FIG. 5. There are definite advantages of locating the shafts eccentrically with respect to the panels. If shafts were placed concentrically with respect to two panels, the panels would have to be half as wide as the sign and both messages would be confined to the panels. They would then operate as two slats of a venetian blind. Providing simple stops in both directions at the sign face would be impossible because the panels would sweep a complete circle. Two panels rotating on their longitudinal center lines also require a free space behind the shafts on one-fourth of the sign width, making the unit more bulky, expensive, and more difiicult to protect against weather and vandalism.

If two panels are rotated on one edge, they would have to be only one-fourth as wide as the sign. The front sweep would be no more than a pair of concentric panels, no space for back-sweep would have to be provided and the area of the messages would be equally divided between the rotating panels and the front stationary panels (44, 45 and 46 of FIG. 5).

If the shaft runs the entire length of the edge of the panel as a stiffener, the panel is eccentric to the extent of the radius of the shaft, but an undesirable surface of sign face results.

If the panels are made eccentric approximately to the degree shown, only a moderate increase in depth of case is necessary, and good rigidity and satisfactory surfaces of sign face result. The stationary panels then become the full length stops for the rotating panels.

Two sub-panel elements 43 are formed approximately as shown and fastened to each of their respective shafts 9 and 10 to make the complete rotating panels 11 and 12. A left front panel 44, a center front panel 45 and a right front panel 46 close the front of box 1 and cooperate with the rotating panels 11 and 12 to produce two surfaces on which the two displays are made. In the display of the important message, the rotating panels are in their countor-clockwise position again-st the front panels and display the surfaces indicated at a in FIG. 5. In the display of the less important message, the rotating panels 11 and 12 are in their clockwise position and display the surfaces indicated at b in FIG. 5. When no current is being supplied to drive motor 2, the important message is displayed. Energizing the drive motor 2 rotates sprockets 18, 14 and 19 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the sprockets against the torque of spring 21 continues until switch actuating element 15 contacts the switch 16 at which time current to the motor is interrupted and current to the solenoid 47 is established.

Inertial override of drive motor 2 is inherent and desired. Just after the point where the rotating panels 11 and 12 contact the stationary panels 44 and respectively, switch 16 is operated by the switch actuating element 15. The override of drive motor 2 continues to rotate sprockets Hand 19 and pin 31 rotates away from the righthand edge of floating stop 23.'In the forward override condition, the torque of spring 22 is applied to each of the rotating panels 11 and 12 to hold them resiliently against the stationary front panels 44 and 45.

Referring to the diagram, FIG. 4, the armature of solenoid 47 is tied to a cable 48 which is wrapped around a pulley 49. The other end of cable 48 is tied to a tension spring which, in turn, is tied to a spring anchor post 51. By reason of the gearing in the drive motor 2, when sprocket 18 turns in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2), pulley 49 mounted on the shaft of drive motor 2, turns in the same direction. The torque of spring 22 acting on each of the sprockets 14 and 19 tends to rotate sprocket 18 in a counter-clockwise direction but this is prevented by the action of cable 48 around pulley 49. As shown in FIG. 4, a clockwise rotation of pulley 49 tends to stretch spring 50 and slack the cable. Counter-clockwise rotation of pulley 49 is against the energized armature of solenoid 47 and tends to tighten cable 48 on pulley 49 to prevent counter-clockwise rotation. The solenoid and spring combination serve-s as a uni-directional electrical brake permitting overrun but preventing back rotation. This electrical brake holds the sign in the less important message position.

When electric current to the sign fails, solenoid 47 releases and slacks cable 48 around pulley 49. Spring 22 then turns the unenergized drive motor backward, so the sign takes its important message position. When the override position is reached on each rotating panel, the torque of spring 2 2 is taken at the point of contact of pin 31 with floating stop 23 and spring 21 continues to apply torque to run the drive motor backwards.

Backward inertial override performs a like function to forward inertial override. When the panels 11 and 12, turning counter-clockwise, contact the front panels 45 and 46 respectively, the torque of spring 21 holds each resiliently against the front panels. When back override occurs, the right-hand edge of floating stop 23 moves away from pin 42 and the additional torque of spring 24 is applied to the rotating panels.

The operation of the sign is such that the springs tend to rotate the panels to the important message display position. The motor 2, with its sprocket 18 and chain 20, rotates the panels to the less important message display position. The motor 2 is not a reversible motor. It does not drive the panels to the important message display position.

When the timer 3 is used in the apparatus, it energizes the motor at the selected time of day to cause the sign to display the less important message. The motor 2 then turns the panels to that position. Switch 16 is then snapped by actuating element 15 to disconnect the motor 2 and energize solenoid 47. The solenoid then holds the panels in that position unless the current to the sign fails.

At another time of the day, the timer 3 may disconnect the current to both the motor 2 and the solenoid 47. The springs will then rotate the panels to the important message display position.

Rotating panel return spring 21', forward drive release spring 22 and reverse drive release spring 24 are in woundup condition as shown in FIG. 3; that is, viewing from the left, spring 21 tends to rotate hub 38 in a counter-clockwise direction, spring 22 tends to rotate hub 35 in a clock wise direction and spring 24 tends to rotate hub 40 in a counterclockwise direction. In the neutral position, pins 31 and 42 engage the right side of floating stop 23. If panel 12 is forced from the important message position, pin 42 is moved circumferentially away from the right side of floating stop 23 against the torque of spring 24. If panel 12 is forced from the less important message position, pin 42 rotates floating stop 23 away from its contact with pin 31 against the torque of spring 22. It can thus'be seen that rotating panels 11 and 12 have a springloaded neutral position with respect to sprockets 14 and 19. Any torque applied to rotating panels 11 or 12 in either direction in excess of the torque of springs 22 and 24 simply releases the rotating panels from neutral orientation with the sprockets. The torque of springs 22 and 24 is sufficient to cause positive action of the rotating panels but is insufficient either to prevent drive motor 2 from completing the cycle or to produce damage to an interposed human extremity.

Inasmuch as this sign is exposed to all weather conditions, it is possible that rotating panels 11 and 12 can be frozen either in a closed or open position. In either event, no damage to the mechanism results and the sign will display its instructed message when the restraint due to freezing is removed.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that one or more rotating panels arranged, as described, can be used in signs of different dimensions. It is also obvious that various changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In a traffic sign capable of displaying two messages, the combination of a panel, means for mounting the panel for rotation on the front of the sign, an electric motor for rotating the panel in one direction, a spring for rotating the panel in the opposite direction, a springloaded neutral coupling between the motor and panel and an electrical brake for holding the panel in the position in which it is rotated by said motor.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the means for mounting the panel for rotation includes a shaft along one edge of the panel.

3. In a tra'lfic sign capable of displaying two messages, an important message and a less important message, the combination of a plurality of panels, means for mounting the panels for rotation on parallel axes on the front of the sign, an electric motor having drive means tending to rotate the panels in unison in one direction, a spring tending to rotate the panels in unison in the opposite direction, a spring-loaded neutral coupling between the motor and the panels and an electrical brake for holding the panels in the position in which they are rotated by the motor, the arrangement being such that the motor rotates the panels to the position where the less important message is displayed, whereby, upon failure of current supply to 6 the sign, the electrical brake will release and permit the spring to rotate the panels to the important message display position.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 in which the means for mounting the panels for rotation includes shafts along corresponding edges of the panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1895 Dalumi 4054 8/1916 Baird 4054 

1. IN A TRAFFIC SIGN CAPABLE OF DISPLAYING TWO MESSAGES, THE COMBINATION OF A PANEL, MEANS FOR MOUNTING THE PANEL FOR ROTATION ON THE FRONT OF THE SIGN, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR ROTATING THE PANEL IN ONE DIRECTION, A SPRING FOR ROTATING THE PANEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, A SPRINGLOADED NEUTRAL COUPLING BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND PANEL AND AN ELECTRICAL BRAKE FOR HOLDING THE PANEL IN THE POSITION IN WHICH IT IS ROTATED BY SAID MOTOR. 